Georgia Drops Racketeering Case Against Trump Citing Complexity
A top Georgia prosecutor has formally dismissed the sweeping racketeering case against former President Donald Trump and several allies over efforts to overturn the 2020 election, saying the prosecution would take years and is no longer in the public interest.
The decision was announced by Peter Skandalakis, director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, who had been tasked with reviewing the case after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was disqualified earlier this year.
In a detailed court filing, Skandalakis outlined why the state would not move forward — calling the case legally overwhelming, financially burdensome, and unlikely to reach trial within a reasonable timeframe.
Case Too Complex to Reach a Jury Before the Next Decade
Skandalakis said the legal obstacles involved were unprecedented, ranging from constitutional disputes to presidential immunity and federal access issues.
“Bringing this case before a jury in 2029, 2030, or even 2031 would be nothing short of a remarkable feat,”
he wrote.
He noted that even if every legal challenge were resolved in the state’s favor, the delays alone would undermine confidence in the justice system and consume years of public resources.
Federal Prosecution Considered the More Appropriate Path
The filing suggested that the federal government — not the state — was better positioned to pursue the allegations.
Skandalakis pointed to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s federal case, saying it “would have been the most appropriate avenue” for determining whether crimes occurred beyond a reasonable doubt.
He added that attempting to try remaining defendants separately, while waiting for Trump to finish his term, would be “illogical, burdensome, and costly” for both Georgia and Fulton County.
Election Results Reaffirmed Despite Ongoing Claims
Skandalakis also directly addressed lingering election misinformation, stating that Georgia officials conducted extensive audits confirming the 2020 results.
“Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, millions continued to make unsubstantiated claims,”
he wrote.
The filing emphasized that no substantial voter fraud was found— a point repeatedly upheld by state and federal authorities since the November 2020 vote.
Prosecutor Says Decision Triggered Threats and Backlash
Skandalakis acknowledged the political fallout surrounding the announcement, saying reactions were sharply divided from the moment he inherited the case.
He revealed that both he and his family received threats as the review became public.
“I recognize this decision will not be universally popular,”
he said, noting that some demanded continued prosecution while others condemned the case entirely.
For now, the dismissal effectively ends the state-level prosecution — marking a dramatic shift in one of the highest-profile legal battles tied to the 2020 election.